Adjustable exercise device

ABSTRACT

An exercise device, having a pair of supports that rest upon a ground surface and a bridge that extends between the supports and is elevated above the ground surface. The supports each include an upper support that includes an upper tube and a lower support that includes a central post that together telescope so as to adjust the height of the bridge. Handgrips are selectively attachable to the bridge for allowing the user to perform various exercises. The lower supports are each T-shaped, including a base member and each have a pair of lateral supports that are deployable to stabilize the base members from side movement. The upper tubes and bridge are connected with folding joints, and one of the supports includes an offset portion to facilitate selectively bending the supports upwardly against the bridge for compact storage of the device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of utility patent applicationSer. No. 14/844,847, filed in the United States Patent Office on Sep. 3,2015, which is a nonprovisional utility application of provisionalpatent application Ser. No. 62/045,766 filed in the United States PatentOffice on Sep. 4, 2014, claims priority therefrom, and are expresslyincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to fitness equipment. Moreparticularly, the present disclosure relates to an adjustable exercisedevice.

BACKGROUND

The health benefits of physical exercise are widely known. A pull-up baris traditionally used for a variety of upper-body and core exerciseswherein a user lifts at least their own bodyweight. Such movementpromotes muscle development, specifically that of the arms, core, andback. However, when the user is not properly trained in the use of thepull-up bar, serious injury can result. Further, a novice and/or anintermediate user is often unable to lift his or her own bodyweight tocomplete a full pull-up, resulting in further injury when a pull-up isimproperly attempted.

As a result, the typical user will often modify the pull-up exerciseusing fitness devices that are currently marketed. Some of these devicesinclude both large units of weight equipment and small devices intendedto build strength within the targeted muscle groups.

Nevertheless, the user is often inconvenienced by drawbacks that arefrequently associated with the home use of such devices, such asbulkiness, lack of durability, and a limited exercise range. Further,this strength training equipment is often very expensive to purchase forhome use and therefore, inaccessible to many people.

For instance, one such device includes a pull-up bar and a pair of gripswhich secure to a door frame for the user to do a pull-up in thedoorway. However, such device is often not sufficiently anchored aroundthe door frame. As a result, the device typically collapses from thedoor frame with the user suspended therefrom, injuring the user when thedevice falls to the ground. Further, the collapsing device often causescostly property damage to the door frame and home. Yet further, becausethe device is typically positioned over and around the top of the doorframe, the user is often unable to perform a modified pull-up whereinless than all their bodyweight is lifted.

Yet further, existing pull-up devices are often not easily tailored toany single user's arm length, height, or skill level. Resultantly, theuser often suffers an injury, such as shoulder pain or dislocation, whenperforming the pull-up improperly.

Still further, the pull-up devices found in a gym setting are not easilyused within the home due to the bulkiness and weightiness of thedevices. Additionally, the user is often unaware of where gyms arelocated when traveling. As a result, the user often enlists the servicesof a personal trainer who can visit the user's home or hotel room.Although some portable pull-up devices have been developed toaccommodate the frustrated user, such devices are similarly associatedwith bulkiness and a limited range of exercise. Both the user and thepersonal trainer could benefit from having a pull-up fitness device thatis easily portable, compatible with modified pull-up regimens, comprisedof minimal components, and which can enable a wide range of exercises.

While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed,or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes ofthe present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.

In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge isreferred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not anadmission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combinationthereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to thepublic, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes priorart under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to berelevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the presentdisclosure is concerned.

While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussedto facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects aredisclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one ormore of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An aspect of an example embodiment is to provide an exercise devicewhich can be used as a portable, comprehensive fitness solution.Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in the presentdisclosure provides an exercise device that is collapsible for easystorage. To facilitate easy folding and compact storage, the uppersupport mechanisms are attached to the bridge with folding joints andone of the support mechanisms has an offset portion.

Another aspect of an example embodiment is to provide an adjustableexercise device which transitions easily between different heights foruse within variable forms of fitness training. Accordingly, an aspect ofan example embodiment in the present disclosure provides an exercisedevice with an upper tube and a central post that extends within theupper tube, which can be selectively extended and contracted forperforming exercises of various types and with variable intensity.

A further aspect of an example embodiment is to provide an exercisedevice which enables an array of hand gripping positions by a user forperforming modified fitness exercises, especially for allowing a varietyof exercise positions. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodimentin the present disclosure provides an exercise device that includeshandgrips that are selectively attachable to the bridge in variouspositions for selectively targeting different muscle groups depending onthe placement of a user's hands when exercises are performed.

Yet a further example embodiment is to provide an exercise device whichis sufficiently anchored to a surface when a user exerts force onto thecross bar. Accordingly, an aspect of an example embodiment in thepresent disclosure provides the exercise device with lateral legsupports that are selectively deployable perpendicularly to the basesupport to further stabilize the base support.

Accordingly, the present disclosure describes an exercise device, havinga pair of supports that rest upon a ground surface and a bridge thatextends between the supports and is elevated above the ground surface.The supports each include an upper support that includes an upper tubeand a lower support that includes a central post that together telescopeso as to adjust the height of the bridge. Handgrips are selectivelyattachable to the bridge for allowing the user to perform variousexercises. The lower supports are each T-shaped, including a base memberand each have a pair of lateral supports that are deployable tostabilize the base members from side movement. The upper tubes andbridge are connected with folding joints, and one of the supportsincludes an offset portion to facilitate selectively bending thesupports upwardly against the bridge for compact storage of the device.

The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoingdisadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosuremay prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in anumber of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarilybe construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems ordeficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above,this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, thatthe drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as beingpart of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals.The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is diagrammatic perspective view showing an exercise device, perse.

FIG. 2A is a side elevational view, illustrating the use of a heightadjustment pin to secure relative positions of the upper tube andcentral post.

FIG. 2B is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 2A, except whereinthe height adjustment pin is employed to secure the relative positionsof the upper tube and central post to establish a lower height of thebridge.

FIG. 3A is a top plan view, with parts broken away, showing one of thehandgrips in a secure position.

FIG. 3B is a top plan view, with parts broken away, showing one of thehandgrips in a release position.

FIG. 3C is a top plan view, showing one of the handgrips secured to thebridge within one of the handgrip attachment holes.

FIG. 3D is a top plan view, showing one of the handgrips removed fromthe bridge.

FIG. 4A is a front elevational view, with parts broken away,illustrating one of the lateral leg supports deployed perpendicular tothe base member of one of the lower supports.

FIG. 4B is a bottom plan view, illustrating one of the lateral legsupports pivoting from its deployed position toward a storage position.

FIG. 4C is a bottom plan view, illustrating one of the lateral legsupports in its storage position.

FIG. 5A is a front elevational view, showing the exercise device,wherein the lateral leg supports have been folded to be coextending withthe base members as a first step in a folding sequence.

FIG. 5B is a front elevational view, wherein one of the upper tubes hasbeen folded upwardly against the bridge to also bring its associatedlower leg support against the bridge as a second step in the foldingsequence.

FIG. 5C is a front elevational view, wherein the other upper tube hasbeen folded upwardly toward the bridge as a third step in the foldingsequence.

FIG. 6A is a side elevational view, illustrating the exercise device inuse, wherein a user is performing a modified pull-up exercise bygripping the handgrips.

FIG. 6B is a side elevational view, illustrating the exercise device inuse, wherein a user is performing a plank or push-up type exercise bygripping the handgrips.

The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which show various exampleembodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to the exampleembodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments areprovided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fullyconveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 illustrates an adjustable exercise device 10 used to perform avariety of exercises encompassed in a comprehensive fitness routine. Theadjustable exercise device 10 includes a pair of support mechanisms 12and a bridge 18 extending between each support mechanism 12. The bridge18 is a cylindrical bar that has a pair of ends 181, 182, with one ofthe support mechanisms 12 attached at each of the ends. Each supportmechanism 12 includes an upper support 13 and a lower support 14. Eachupper support 13 includes an upper tube 13G, each upper tube 13G isattached to one of the ends 181, 182 of the bridge 18 with a foldingjoint 60. The lower support 14 is substantially T-shaped, having avertically extending central post 20. The central post 20 is tubularsuch that the upper tube 13G extends within the central post 20 and istelescopically adjustable with respect thereto for adjusting the heightof the bridge 18.

The lower support 14 also has a horizontally extending base member 22having a lower surface 22L, a middle 22M and a pair of ends 22E. Thecentral post 20 is secured at the middle of the base member 22. A pairof lateral leg supports 16 are attached to the lower surface 22L nearthe ends 22E and selectively extend laterally from the base member 22 toprovide additional stability thereto so as to prevent axial torsion withrespect to the base member 22. FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C illustrate theattachment of one of the lateral leg supports 16 to one of the basemembers 22. In particular, the lateral leg support 16 has a lowersurface 16L, an upper surface 16U, a center 16C and a pair of ends 16E.A pair of feet 17 are attached to the lower surface 16L near the ends16E of the leg support 16 and are preferably made of rubber or a similarmaterial to absorb vibration and prevent damage to a flooring surfaceupon which the exercise device 10 is utilized. The center 16C of thelateral leg support 16 is pivotally attached to near the end 22E of thebase member 22 with a pivot bolt 24. The pivot bolt 24 allows thelateral leg support 16 to be in an extended position as shown in FIG. 4Aand FIG. 1, wherein the lateral leg support 16 extends substantiallyperpendicular to the base member 22 to stabilize the exercise deviceduring use; and pivot axially around the pivot bolt 24 as seen in FIG.4B toward the storage position of FIG. 4C, wherein the lateral legsupport 16 extends coextensively and parallel with the base member 22.

Referring to FIG. 1, while the bridge 18 is generally cylindrical inshape, it has a top edge 18T, a bottom edge 18B, and a pair of sideedges 18S. A pair of handgrips 30 are selectively attached to the bridge18, and extend transversely therefrom such that they extend parallel tothe base members 22. The bridge 18 has at least one pair of handgripattachment holes 31 that extend fully between the side edges 18S tofacilitate securing the handgrips 30 therein. Additional handgripattachment holes 31 may be provided on the bridge 18 to adjust spacingbetween the handgrips to accommodate different users and differentexercises.

Referring to FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D, each handgrip 30 has a moldedgrip 32 that is shaped to conform to the human hand, and a shaft 34,having a proximal end 34P and a distal end 34D, that extends axiallythrough the molded grip 32 and is sized to extend through one of thehandgrip attachment holes 31. The handgrip 30 also has a pair ofretaining balls 35 near the distal end 34D that selectively extendoutwardly from the shaft 34 for extending against the side surface 18Sof the bridge 18 and thereby retain the shaft 34 within the handgripattachment hole 31 and hold the handgrip 30 securely to the bridge 18.

While specific operation of the selective positioning of the retainingballs 35 to facilitate its secure position illustrated in FIG. 3A andrelease position illustrated in FIG. 3B may be accomplished in variousways, in the embodiment illustrated, the handgrip 30 also has a releasepin 36 that extends through the shaft 34, and an actuation knob 37. Theactuation knob 37 is attached to the proximal end 34D of the shaft 34and is based against the molded handgrip 32 with a spring 38. Therelease pin 36 has a cam surface 39 near the distal end of the shaft 34from the actuation knob 37. The cam surface 39 extends against andinteracts with the retaining balls 35 such that the balls 35 arenormally positioned by the cam surface 39 into the secure position asillustrated in FIG. 3A for keeping the handgrip 30 secured to the bridge18 as shown in FIG. 3C. When the actuation knob 37 is pulled away fromthe molded handgrip 32, the balls 35 can retract inwardly into the shaft34 to allow the distal end 34D of the shaft 34 to be withdrawn from thebridge 18 as shown in FIG. 3D.

Referring now to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the central post 20 has a front 20Fhaving a plurality of height adjustment holes 21. A height adjustmentpin 50 is associated with each of the support mechanisms 12 and isselectively inserted through one of the height adjustment holes 21 andinto the upper tube 13G to positionally fix the upper tube 13G withrespect to the central post 20 and thereby set the height of the bridge18. In particular, FIG. 2A shows the bridge 18 in a higher position thanin FIG. 2B.

To facilitate folding the exercise device 10 for compact storage, theupper posts 13G can selectively lock in position substantiallyperpendicular to the bridge 18 and selectively fold toward the bridgeusing the folding joint 60. In particular, a joint that employs a pairof parallel and coaxial discs, one connected to the upper post 13G andthe other connected to the bridge 18 is preferable. An example of asuitable folding joint is a rotary locking and unlocking joint soldunder the trade name VARILOCK and is described in detail in U.S. Pat.No. 5,689,999. Also facilitating the folding of the exercise device 10,referring to FIG. 5A, one of the upper tubes 13G has an offset portion65. In particular, the upper tube 13G has a first part 64, a second part66, and the offset portion 65 in between. The first part 64 is attachedto the folding joint 60 and the second part 66 telescopes within thecentral post 20. The first part 64 is bent with respect to the offsetportion 65, and the second part 66 is bent with respect to the offsetportion 65. But the first part 64 and second part 66 remain axiallyparallel to each other and are merely offset in axial position by theoffset portion 65.

Compact folding of the exercise device 10 into a storage position isshown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 5A,first the lateral leg supports 16 are folded by ninety degrees to extendparallel and coextensively with the base members 22. Then, asillustrated in FIG. 5B, the support mechanism 12 without the offsetportion 65 is folded upwardly by folding the upper tube 13G thereofupwardly toward the bridge 18 until it extends nearly parallel thereto.Then, the support mechanism 12 having the offset portion 65 is foldedupwardly toward the bridge 18. The offset portion 65 reducesinterference between that support mechanism 12 and the support mechanism12 already folded, to allow more compact folding of the exercise device10 for storage.

As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the exercise device 10 is positionedupon a ground surface 90, with the support mechanisms 12 extendingvertically and the bridge 18 (not shown) extending horizontallytherebetween. The base members 22 are supported upon the ground surface90 by the lateral leg supports 16 and feet 17 therebeneath. A user 82 isholding the handgrip 30 and may perform a variety of exercisestherewith, including modified pull-up exercises as illustrated in FIG.6A, plank related exercises as shown in FIG. 6B, and numerous others.The height of the upper support 13 may be appropriately adjusted withrespect to the lower support 14 as shown and as required by theexercises being performed and to suit the user.

It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being“on” another element, it can be directly on the other element orintervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when anelement is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there areno intervening elements present.

Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same,structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.

It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,”“second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements,components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms.These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region,layer or section from another element, component, region, layer orsection. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or“section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component,region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that thespatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both anorientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented(rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relativedescriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross sectionillustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments.As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result,for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to beexpected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not beconstrued as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustratedherein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, forexample, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated ordescribed as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features.Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, theregions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and theirshapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region andare not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.

In conclusion, herein is presented an exercise device. The disclosure isillustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout thewritten description. It should be understood that numerous variationsare possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variationsare contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An exercise device, comprising: a bridge, havinga pair of ends and having a pair of handgrip attachment holes; a pair ofhandgrips selectively attachable within the handgrip attachment holes; apair of upper tubes; a pair of folding joints, each of the foldingjoints attaching one of the upper tubes to one of the ends of thebridge, such that the folding joints are configured to lock the uppertubes substantially perpendicularly to the bridge and parallel to eachother, and are further configured to fold the upper tubes toward thebridge; a pair of lower supports, each lower support substantiallyT-shaped, having a central post and a base member having an uppersurface, a lower surface, and a middle, the central post is secured tothe middle of the base member, has height adjustment holes spacedthereon, and wherein one of the upper tubes extends vertically withinsaid central post such that upper post telescopes within said centralpost.
 2. The exercise device as recited in claim 1, wherein one of theupper tubes has a first part that is connected to the one of the foldingjoints, a second part that extends within central post, and an offsetportion that is bent with respect to the first part and with respect tothe second part while the first part extends parallel to the secondpart.
 3. The exercise device as recited in claim 2, wherein the bridgehas side edges; wherein the pair of handgrip attachment holes furthercomprises at least two pairs of handgrip attachment holes, each handgripattachment hole extending between the side edges of the bridge, toprovide flexibility of placement for the handgrips.
 4. The exercisedevice as recited in claim 3, wherein each of the base members has apair of ends; wherein each of the lower supports further comprise a pairof lateral support legs and a pair of pivot bolts, each lateral supportleg having a pair of ends and a center; each lateral support legpivotally attached to the lower surface of one of the base members nearone of its ends using one of the pivot bolts extending through thecenter of said lateral support leg, each of the pivot bolts allowing itsassociated lateral support leg to selectively pivot between a deployedposition wherein it extends perpendicular to the base member and astored position wherein it extends coextensive and parallel to the basemember.
 5. The exercise device as recited in claim 4, wherein each ofthe handgrips having a molded grip, a shaft that extends through themolded grip and has a proximal end and distal end, a pair of retainingballs near the distal end that selectively extend outwardly to lock thehandgrip to the bridge while the shaft extends through one of thehandgrip attachment holes, and an actuation knob attached to theproximal end of the shaft for selectively retracting the balls into theshaft to allow the shaft to be removed from one of the handgripattachment holes.
 6. An exercise device, comprising: a bridge, having apair of ends, a top edge, a bottom edge, and side edges, and having apair of handgrip attachment holes that each extend fully between theside edges; a pair of upper tubes; a pair of folding joints, each of thefolding joints attaching one of the upper tubes to one of the ends ofthe bridge, such that the folding joints are configured to lock theupper tubes substantially perpendicularly to the bridge and parallel toeach other, and are further configured to fold the upper tubes towardthe bridge; a pair of lower supports, each lower support substantiallyT-shaped, having a central post and a base member having an uppersurface, a lower surface, a pair of ends, and a middle, the central postis secured to the middle of the base member, has height adjustment holesspaced thereon, and wherein one of the upper tubes extends verticallywithin said central post such that upper post telescopes within saidcentral post, wherein each of the lower supports further comprise a pairof lateral support legs and a pair of pivot bolts, each lateral supportleg having a pair of ends and a center, each lateral support legpivotally attached to the lower surface of one of the base members nearone of its ends using one of the pivot bolts extending through thecenter of said lateral support leg, each of the pivot bolts allowing itsassociated lateral support leg to selectively pivot between a deployedposition wherein it extends perpendicular to the base member and astored position wherein it extends coextensive and parallel to the basemember; and a pair of handgrips, each handgrip having a molded grip anda shaft that extends through the molded grip, each handgrip selectivelyattachable to the bridge by extending the shaft of said handgrip throughone of the handgrip attachment holes such that said handgrip extendsparallel to the base members.
 7. The exercise device as recited in claim6, wherein the pair of handgrip attachment holes further comprises atleast two pairs of handgrip attachment holes, each handgrip attachmenthole extending between the side edges of the bridge, to provideflexibility of placement for the handgrips.
 8. The exercise device asrecited in claim 7, wherein one of the upper tubes has a first part thatis connected to the one of the folding joints, a second part thatextends within central post, and an offset portion that is bent withrespect to the first part and with respect to the second part while thefirst part extends parallel to the second part.
 9. The exercise deviceas recited in claim 8, wherein each of the handgrips having a moldedgrip, a shaft that extends through the molded grip and has a proximalend and distal end, a pair of retaining balls near the distal end thatselectively extend outwardly to lock the handgrip to the bridge whilethe shaft extends through one of the handgrip attachment holes, and anactuation knob attached to the proximal end of the shaft for selectivelyretracting the balls into the shaft to allow the shaft to be removedfrom one of the handgrip attachment holes.